Drove up with my cousins from Switzerland (their first time in CA), then my dad and I hiked down the Four Mile Trail into the valley. I was 12 at the time and remember the towering cliffs above and below us along the trail.

Wonderful hike! Great weather going up, but it turned to threatening in the afternoon. Although there were lots of folks headed up, we were the only ones who came prepared to brave wet weather from the return trip. The rest must have taken the bus! --mark d.